Zoe Ball has opened up about her 14-year estrangement from her mother, Julia, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2024. The BBC Radio 2 DJ, 55, is exploring her family history on the show Who Do You Think You Are? and admitted she knew little about her mother's upbringing.
Ball's parents divorced when she was a toddler, and she lived with her father, TV presenter Johnny Ball. She did not see her mother for 14 years until they reconnected when she was 18. 'It was pretty tough. I didn't see my mum for about 14 years, which was a long time not to see your mum,' she said.
The DJ, who was the first female presenter of both the Radio 1 and Radio 2 breakfast shows, quit her Radio 2 role in December 2024 to spend more time with her children after her mother's death. 'We lost my mum last year and it really made me step back and look at the bigger picture,' she explained.
On the show, Ball traces her ancestry from Scotland to Cornwall and learns about her grandmother Margaret, who was institutionalised for mental health difficulties. She also researches her father's side of the family with his help. 'It was really special to be able to learn more about our family together,' she said.
Ball described the experience as 'incredibly fulfilling' and said it allowed her to feel closer to her mother's side of the family. 'I’ll carry this experience with me for the rest of my life,' she added.
